scope:

Purpose.

Many PMELs built or renovated in recent years have not met minimum operating environment standards. These facilities cannot be certified by the Air Force Metrology and Calibration Program, resulting in loss of calibration capability at the bases. This manual provides Air Force Civil Engineer standards for design and construction of Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories. Use it as a guide for site selection and design of a new metrology laboratory, or for modification of an existing facility. Only those requirements which directly affect the accuracy and integrity of the measurements made and are unique to a calibration laboratory are addressed. Criteria in this manual must not be used as sole justification to improve an existing facility if the facility's condition does not adversely affect the environmental requirements for performing measurement traceability. Users should contact AFMETCAL DET 1/ML, 813 Irving-Wick Drive West Suite 4M, Heath OH 43056-6116, and HQ AFCESA, Tyndall AFB early in the design phase to ensure their facility will meet or surpass the basic design criteria.